Pneumatic chest for pipe-organs.



y Wl o. VERNEYI PATENTED FEB. 18, 1908.

PNEUMATIG CHEST FOR PIPE ORGANS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 30, 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

LA w N. N n mw f m\ No. 879,503. PATENTBD FEB. 18, 1908. W. C. VBRNEY.

PNBUMATIC CHEST POR PIPE ORGANS.

APPLICATION PILEDJULYao, 190e.

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PATENTED P88418, 1808. W. G. VERNEY. A PNEUMATIC CHEST F08 PIPE 0888188APPLICATION FILED JULY 30, 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WILLIAM CONNINGSBY VERNEY, OF MASON CITY, IOWA.

PNEUMATIC CHEST FOR PIPE-ORGANS.

Specification of Letters-Patent.

Patented Feb. 18, 1908.

Application led July 30| 1906. Serial No. 328.318.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, WILLIAM CoNNiNGsBY VERNEY, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Mason City, in the county of Cerro Gordo and Stateof Iowa, have invented a new and useful Pneumatic Chest for Pipe- Organsand other Pneumatically-Controlled Musical Instruments; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the arts to which itappertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates particularly to certain new and useful improvementsin single pressure pneumatic chest construction, in which the valves areoperated by air pressure from the main source of air supply, withoutresorting to a differential pressure, as is customary in otherconstructions. The air chest from which the air is supplied to the pipesor a registerof pipes is of a large vol ume, which insures a full andround tone. All pipe valve spindles are journaled in a long sleeve andare provided with a valve seat or disk on one end and a diaphragm on theother. This construction allows of a free and easy action of the valveduring which it retains its central position under all conditions. It isnot iniiuenced by moisture or otherwise, which often retards the actionof valves, particularly those that are constructed on the reciprocating`or seeesawing principle, whereby a quavering or lingering tone isproduced.

The usual valve construction the communication between the' air chestand pipes through the valves, the connection between the latter and thekey board and finally the means of access to the valveshas been entirelymodified, so much so that the greatest simplicity in the details ofarrangement has been attained. In addition thereto it is the object ofmy invention to provide a valve,

which is easily operated, instantaneous in its action and positive inits movement.

I attain these objects by the construction, combination and arrangementof devices as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed and whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which,-

Figure l, is a vertical section of the pneumatic chest taken on line X-Xof Fig. 10 and showing the location of the pipe valves therein, and adiagram of connection between the key-board A, the primary wind box Band the auxiliary wind box C, together with a diagram of the means forfurnishing air of uniform pressure to the wind boxes.

Fig. 2, is a detail of the valve bars in the `ing the method ofstiifening by means of diagonally placed ribs, and Fig. 9, is a detailin section, showing the mode of placing the bung boards upon a centerrest. Fig. l0 is a fragmentary top plan view of the chest.

Similar characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The principal parts of the device are the key-board A, the primary windbox B, the auxiliary wind box C, the principal neumatic chest D, thevalve bars E, the ex aust canal F, and the air chamber Cr. B, C and Dare continually supplied with air of a uniform pressure from the bellowsY through their respective communications l), c and d, by means of pipesy, y', and y2 which lead from said bellows to said communications. Thevalves are contained in bars E which run longitudinally through thepneumatic chest. A pair of such valve bars, of which one is right andthe other left handed, are always placed together and are joined by across board c whereby a stop action chamber C is provided. The lattercommunicates with the bellows or air supply through oblong canal g andis controlled by the usual stop action or register in the customary way.Ihen the register is drawn, or open, the corresponding chamber G isunder the uniform air pressure, and when it is closed the air escapesfrom it and only atmospheric pressure obtains therein. There are as manystop-action chambers as there ars stops to the organ and as manytoned-controlling valves in each series as there are pipes in thatparticular register.

When key l is depressed its extreme opposite end elevates valve rod 2,which extends through perforation 2 and the primary valve 3 is raised inturn; simultaneously therewith exhaust port 4 is.closed by means ofexhaust `valve disk 4, which is adjustably mount-ed upon valve rod 2 andheld in its normalv position by spring 42. Lost motion between f theupper end of valve rod 2 and primary is fastened to auxiliary wind boxC, for which purpose clamp blocks 7 are used, and continues throughorifice S into the diaphragm chamber 3 where it acts upon a diaphragmvalve. The latter consists of a spindle 9, la disk 9 secured therewithby round head screw 92, diaphragm 93, which latter is glued to the innerwall of the wind box C, valve disk 10 and valve disk 10, both of whichare secured with spindle 9 by thimble set screws 103. The winddischarged from primary wind box B into diaphragm chamber 3 forces valvedisk 10 against and removes valve disk 10 from its seat. This closesopening 11, leading from chamber C into canal F and opens orifice 11,which establishes communication between canal F and the atmosphere at H.12 is simply a short wooden bridge, in which spindle 9 is journaled atits upper end. Space H opens directly into the atmosphere.

The pneumatic chest D is a closed wooden box, consisting of longitudinalside members 13 and 13, a top board 14, in which are constructed thecanals F, bung board flanges 15, a center rest 163 and the bung boards16. The air is supplied from the bellows, or other air supply, throughwind trunk 17, which opens into the chest at 17. The tone-controllingvalves are located in the. bars E which are mounted on the lower side oftop board 14 within the chest and which extend longitudinally throughoutthe latter. The valves are each provided with a valve stem 18 having areduced part 18. A disk 19 lined with soft material 19, preferably feltor other suitable substance, is placed upon the offset 18 against theshoulder produced thereby and is secured therewith by the end of spring21, which is placed through the small eye 132. The other end of spindle18 is provided with a disk 20 which is rigidly secured therewith. Uponthis disk is glued diaphragm 20, the outer rim of the latter is glued tothe face of the valve bar at 202. A metallic sleeve 22, made preferablyof brass, to which is secured a metal collar 22, serves as a guide tovalve spindle 13. lt is secured in bar E in the countersunk valveorifice 23 and fastened therein by means of pins, which pass through thesmall holes 222 in collar 22. Canal 23 connects orifice 23 with a toneproducing p ipe 232. When the valve is placed in position, it issecurely guided in sleeve 22 and closes orifice 23 perfectly centrallyand therefore tightly. Spring 21 is bent in a loop form and as it isfastened to the bar E, it presses the valve disk 19 gently upon theorifice 23. Bar is provided on the inner side of diaphragm 20, i. e. theside adjacent to orifice 23, with a circular space 24, which allows disk20 and diaphragm 20 to vibrate freely therein. This space is incommunication with channel F through a small canal 24. It will thus beunderstood that as soon as the pressure in chamber Gis superior to thepressure existing in the circular space 24, the diaphragm 20 collapseswhereby valve orifice 23 is opened, and as soon as equal pressures havebeen restablished on both sides of the diaphragm the latteris balancedand the valve will be closed by the tension of spring 21.

The bung boards 1.6 are made of suitable material, preferably wood,strengthened and made perfectly straight by cross ribs 16 as shown inFig. 3. There are usually two of equal size placed in each chest, packedwith strips of soft leather 162 around the outer edges with which theboards rest upon the flanges 15. The air tight joint between the twoboards ismade by similar packing strips 162 and a center rest 163 as isshown in Fig. 9. Vlien air is forced under pressure into the pneumaticchest D these bung boards are forced tightly upon flanges 15 and centerrest 163, whereby a tight joint clear around the outer edges of the bungboards is established. Access to the different parts of the chest cantherefore readily be obtained, as it is only necessary to shut off theair pressure, whereupon each bung board can be raised and removed bysliding it over the center rest 163 and the adjacent board 16.

In action the device operates as follows l/Vhen a given key isdepressed, primary valve 3 is opened, orifice 4 is closedsiinultaneously with the opening of primary valve 3, and air passesunder pressure from the primary wind box B through channel 6 and tube 7into the diaphragm chamber 3 in auxiliary wind box C, whereby disk valve9 closes air port11 and opens exhaust port 11. This allows the aircontained in channel F, as well as in the circular space 24 and canal 24to escape into the atmosphere in air chamber G. Air pressure having beenadmitted into the chamber G by means of the draw stop, the diaphragm 20collapses immediately by reason of the decrease in pressure in thecircular space 24 and forces valve spindle 1S forward, whereby valvedisk 19 is removed from its seat. This uncovers orifice 23 and as soonas the air passage becomes free, wind enters through oriiice 23 intocanal 23 and pipe 232. It will thus be seen that all the functions arecontrolled by single or uniform wind pressure and that a sensitive aswell as positive valve action is obtained.

Having fully described the novel features of my invention, what I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a device of the class described the combination with a main chestD oi' a pair of valve bars therein, a passage opening outwardly fromsaid chest through one of said bars, a valve controlling said passage, acircular cut-out 24 in said bar, a diaphragm covering said cut-out andconnected with said valve, an auxiliary wind box C, a primary wind boxB, a suitable wind connection between the wind box C andthe primary windbox B, a valve 3 in the box B controlling said connection, a windchannel F communicating with the auxiliary wind box C and said cut-out,a valve 9 interposed between the channel F and the auxiliary wind box Cfor the purpose of relieving air pressure from the channel F and thecut-out, means for admitting air pressure to the outer side of saiddiaphragm and operating the valve controlling said passage, and a keyadapted to operate said valve 3 and admit wind from the box B to theconnection leading to the box C and actuate the valve 9.

2. In a device of the class described the combination with a main chestD, of a plurality of valve bars arranged therein in pairs, a chamberbetween the members of each pair, circular cut-outs in each bar adjacentsaid chambers, a diaphragm separating each cut-out from the adjacentchamber, passages opening from the chest D through the bars E valves oneach bar connected with said -diaphragms and controlling said pas sages,an auxiliary wind box C, a primary wind box B, wind channels F leadingfrom the box C and communicating with said cutouts, a valve 9 interposedbetween each channel F and the auxiliary wind box C, wind connectionsleading from the box B to the box C, valves 3 in the box B controlling`said connections, a key adapted to actuate each valve 3, and meansadapted tosupply air of a uniform pressure to the primary wind box B andto the main chest D.

3. In a device of the class described the combination with the mainchest D, of a plurality of valve bars E arranged therein in pairs, achamber G between each pair of bars, passages opening from the chest Dthrough said bars, valves on each bar controlling said passages,cut-outs on each bar adjacent said chambers, diaphragms separating saidcut-outs l'rom the chambers and connected with the valves, wind channelsF communicating with said cut-outs and adapted to conduct air to andfrom the same and thereby operate the valves, and means adapted tosupply air of a uniform pressure to the main chest D and to the chamberG.

4. In a device of the class described the combination with the mainchest D, of a closedl between each pair of bars, a plurality of airchannels F, a circular cut-out 24 in each bar adjacent to the chamber G,a diaphragm 20 secured to each valve and adapted to separate the saidchamber G from the cut-out 24, a passage 24 connecting each of saidcut-outs with one of the channels F, means adapted to supply air of thesame pressure to the main chest D and to the chamber G, and meansadapted to relieve air pressure in the channels F.

5. In a device of the class described the combination of the primarywind box B, with the main chest D, a plurality of valve bars E arrangedin pairs in said chest, valves on each bar, a chamber G inclosed betweeneach pair of valve bars E, a plurality ol air channels F, operativeconnections between said channels and the wind box B,circular cut-outs24 in said bars, diaphragms separating the chambers G from the cut-outsand connected with said valves, a passage 24 connecting each circularcut-out with the adjacent channel F, means adapted to supply 'wind ofthe same pressure to the main chest D, the chambers G and to the primarybox B and a key and connections adapted when depressed to relieve air inthe cut-outs 24 through one of the channels F.

6. In a device of the class described the combination of the main chestD, with the auxiliary wind box C, the primary wind box B, a plurality ofvalve bars E arrangedin pairs in said chest D, valves in each bar, achamber G inclosed between each pair of valve bars E, a plurality of airchannels F communicating with the box C, l'lexible wind connectionsbetween said primary wind box B and the auxiliary wind box C, a doubleseated valve interposed between the wind box C and each air channel F, akey and conn fnections adapted to actuate one ot' said valves by windpressure when depressed, a circular cut-out 24 in said bars for each oi'vtheir valves, a passage 24 connecting each of said circular cut-outs 24with the adjacent channel F, a wind canal 23 in connection with eachvalve, a tone producing pipe 232 attached to each wind canal 23, andmeans whereby air of a uniform pressure is supplied to the main chest D,to the chambers G and to the primary box B.

7. In a device oi the class described the combination of the main chestD, with the auxiliary wind box C, the primary wind box B, a plurality ofchannels F communicating with the box C, double seated valves interposedbetween the channels F and the wind box C, a key and connections adaptedto establish communication between the wind box B and the box C, therebyactuating the dou ble seated valves, a plurality o'l` valve bars Earranged in pairs in said chest D, a chamber G between each pair oilvalve bars, a plurality of valves carried on each valve bar, a

sleeve 22 adapted to guide each valve, a plurality of tone producingpipes 232, a passage 23 between the chest D and each pipe 232 andcontrolled by the valves in said bars, a

circular cut-out in each bar for each valve, a

diaphragm 20 secured to each of the valves on said bars and separatingthe chambers G from the said cut-outs, a passage 24 between eachcircular cut-out and one of the channels F, and means whereby air of auniform pressure is furnished to said main chest D, to the chambers Gand to the primary box B.

S. In a device of the class described the combination with the mainchest D, of a plurality of removable bung boards adapted to tightlyclose said chest, a plurality of valve bars E located within said chestD and arranged in pairs, a plurality of valves on said bars E, achamberG inclosed between each pair ofvalve bars, a plurality of channels F, acircular cut-out 24 in each bar for each valve,

a passage 24 connecting each cut out with one of said channels, adiaphragm separating each cut-out from the adjacent chamber G and eachconnected with one of said valves, a plurality of tone producing pipes7a separate passage bet-Ween each of said ipes and the main chest D, eachcontrolled y one of said valves, means whereby air of the same pressureis furnished tothe main chest D and to the chambers G, and means adaptedto relieve the air pressure from the channels F and from the circularcut-outs and thereby actuate said valves.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM CNNINGSBY VERNEY.

Titnesses FRANK V. CHAMBERS, A. C. REUTER.

